However, the retail sector was left undisturbed, with no recorded strike action last year.

The newly published numbers come as unions prepare to fight the coalition’s plans to slash public spending and jobs.

The figures were revealed in a written answer responding to a question from Conservative MP for Bromsgrove, Sajid Javid.

Last week’s Trades Union Congress backed joint industrial action by unions, including walkouts and protests, if what it sees as “attacks” on public services, pensions and jobs go ahead.

The ONS figures detail disputes resulting in strikes and involving more than 10 workers dating back to 1996. Transport has had the highest tally each year bar two over the whole period.

Walkouts in the sector peaked in the years 1999 and 2000, with 91 and 116 strikes respectively.

The number of disputes in education has risen in recent years. In 2006, strikes peaked at 53, including a 24-hour walkout over pay by higher education lecturers across the UK.

Public sector union Unison said: “Strikes are always a last resort. But the education sector covers more than a million-and-a-half workers, from higher education to nurseries.

“In 2009, there were a number of areas where compulsory redundancies were being proposed and that sparked some action locally.”

A spokesman for the University and College Union, the largest trade union for academics and lecturers, said: “At the height of the winter of discontent in 1978-9, nearly 30 million days were lost to strikes.

“In 2009, the year in which we saw a national postal dispute, this figure was less than 500,000.

“If we do have a period of industrial unrest let’s hope there is discussion of the issues and why working people feel they have to strike.”

In 2009, the defence industry had five strikes, manufacturing and construction had six and seven respectively, mining and quarrying had one and health had none.

The walkouts in the transport sector are often high profile.

In May this year, thousands of British Airways passengers faced cancelled or disrupted trips as cabin crew embarked on three waves of five-day strikes over terms and conditions. Earlier this month there was a two-day strike on the London Underground.